1958 — Page 67

Page 67 of 139

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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question :-

"Would the Chairman please advise whether in 1957 it was emphasized to the staff by circular or by other means that the public should receive courteous treat- ment at all times in the carrying out of the provisions of the law with regard to matters over which the Urban Council exercises control? Would the Chair- man agree to giving due emphasis to this matter at the earliest possible date?"

THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows :-

The second concerns courtesy of the staff.

"This point was not specially emphasized by circular

to the staff in 1957.

I would however invite your attention to the Standing

Instruction which reads as follows: the staff "... to be particularly careful not to offend unnecessarily any householder however poor or ignorant, and his manner of carrying out his duties should be such as to win the confidence and respect of householders so that they may learn to look upon him as their friend and adviser in all sanitary matters." This instruction, which is directed primarily at Health Inspectors, is given great emphasis during the train- ing of health staff, and it is a long time since any member of the public complained of any discourtesy on their part. I regard this issue as being of particular importance, and will be happy to remind all personnel of the department by circulars to this effect.

Conversely, I would like to take this opportunity of expressing the hope that the public in its turn will co-operate fully with Urban Services Department staff who are carrying out their duties."

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-May I ask a supplementary question? Do you think the reason why you have received so few con- plaints from the public is because of the welknown capacity of the Hong Kong public to suffer discourtesies—

CHAIRMAN:-I regret that a question cannot be asked for securing an expression of opinion.

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

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MR. CHEONG-LEEN:--In any event I am glad to see you attach sufficient importance to this issue and that you are willing to circularize the Department.

CHAIRMAN:-'

-Thank you, Mr. Cheong-Leen.

DR. R. H. S. LEE asked the following question :-

"(a) Is the Chairman aware of the foul smell emanating from the foreshore of Aberdeen, and what measure has been taken to correct it?

(b) If, in the opinion of the Urban Services Depart- ment, this is caused in part by the sewage outflow, then in view of the bad advertisement to tourists visiting the area and patronizing the floating restau- rants, and in the interests of the health of the Aberdeen residents, will the Chairman take steps to approach the appropriate authority in having the sewage outflow extended into the sea?”

THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:-

:ཡ་

This question concerns nuisances at Aberdeen.

"I am not aware that there is any particularly offensive smell in Aberdeen other than what one would expect from a fishing town with such a congested harbour. A harbour of this nature always presents a difficult problem and I think that it is very much to the credit of the population, ashore and afloat, at Aberdeen that there is this comparative lack of smell.

The department is, however, always on the alert to im- prove matters and I have given consideration to this question of sewer outlets to which you refer. I have therefore asked the Public Works Department to clear any accumulation round the outlets and to in- vestigate the possibility of extending the outlets below low-water mark. I have also requested the local Kaifong to impress on the proprietors of local shups and restaurants the need to refrain from dump- ing rubbish in the sea which might give rise to complaint."